Methods and systems for generating and using content item leads

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems described in this disclosure can identify, from a social media listening device, content items posted by a plurality of users, where each of the content items is associated with a social handle. Each of the content items can be mapped to a user identifier associated with a user or a potential user of a service using the social handle. A subset of the mapped content items can be created by selecting the mapped content items that correspond to an event based on content. The mapped content items are then categorized based on the corresponding events in the content items. Service or product opportunity leads can be determined from the mapped and categorized content items.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/783,948, filed Oct. 13, 2017, now allowed, which is a non-provisionalof and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/413,580,filed Oct. 27, 2016, entitled “METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR GENERATING ANDUSING CONTENT ITEM LEADS,” both of which are hereby incorporated byreference in their entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to socialmedia. More specifically, various embodiments of the present disclosurerelate to generating and using content item leads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described and explainedthrough the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network-based operating environmentin accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates various components of a content item leads platformthat may be used in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating components and a process for generatingand using content item leads in accordance with one or more embodimentsof the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a swim lane diagram illustrating a process for generating andusing content item leads in accordance with one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a set of operations for generatingand using content item leads in accordance with various embodiments ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a computer system with which someembodiments of the present disclosure may be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Social media content is created and posted every second, and much ofthis content is public. This information can provide valuable insightinto customers' and potential customers' needs and wants. However, suchinformation is voluminous and must be processed and analyzed quickly toidentify business leads in a timely manner.

Embodiments described herein provide a system and method to generate anduse content leads from content items such as social media posts. Forexample, if a user posts that the user is looking for recommendations onSUVs, the user may benefit from services related to car buying (e.g.,financing, insurance, price checking). To generate and use this contentitem lead (or “lead”), the content items have to be collected, filtered,and analyzed. A lead can be an identified opportunity to provide aservice or product to a user.

Social listening devices can collect content items such as social mediaposts in real time or near real time and provide these content items toan organization. Each content item can be stored and associated with anarticle identifier that identifies the content item for trackingpurposes. The content items can be matched to users of the organizationusing social handles. That is, each content item is associated with asocial handle (i.e., an identifier of who posted the content item), andthe users are associated with the social handles as well. Thus, users(e.g., users, potential users, members, customers, potential customers)can be matched with content items. The content items that are mapped tousers can be further filtered by content. For example, the system mayidentify content items that are related to certain events (e.g., buyingor selling a home). These content items can be categorized intodifferent events.

A reference to each of the mapped categorized content items can bestored in a database. The reference can include, for example, thearticle identifier, a user identifier, a link to the content, thecategory of the content, a date it was posted, and/or where it wasposted. The reference to the content item can be used, in combinationwith other information about the user, to determine whether the contentitem is a lead that requires follow-through (e.g., call to the user,email to the user, communication on a website). If so, the lead and/oraction is sent to the appropriate channel.

Embodiments further provide methods and systems to determine theeffectiveness of generating and using content items to determine leads.This can be done by tracking the actions taken by identifying the leadsand determining via the article identifier whether a positive responsewas received (e.g., a user was called regarding their upcoming carpurchase identified by a social media post, and the user decided topurchase the company's insurance, an assessor was sent to a home thatpotentially sustained damage when a catastrophe occurred and the userfiled a property and casualty claim).

This disclosure describes systems and methods designed to generate anduse content leads from content items. Various embodiments may provideone or more of the following technological improvements: (1) increasedefficiency in filtering large amounts of social media data; (2) improvedaccuracy in identifying user's life events in near real time; (3)increased accuracy in identifying leads and providing relevant marketingmaterials or services to those in need; and (4) an efficient manner ofdetermining effectiveness of identified leads.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth toprovide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the presentdisclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art uponreading the disclosure that embodiments may be practiced without some ofthese specific details.

Moreover, the techniques introduced here can be embodied asspecial-purpose hardware (e.g., circuitry), as programmable circuitryappropriately programmed with software and/or firmware, or as acombination of special-purpose and programmable circuitry. Hence,embodiments may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereoninstructions that may be used to program a computer (or other electronicdevices) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include,but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical discs, compact discread-only memories (CD-ROMs), magneto-optical discs, read-only memories(ROMs), random-access memories (RAMs), erasable programmable read-onlymemories (EPROMs), electrically erasable programmable read-only memories(EEPROMs), magnetic or optical cards, flash memory, or other types ofmachine-readable media suitable for storing electronic instructions.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network-based operating environment100 in which some embodiments of the present disclosure may be used. Asillustrated in FIG. 1 , operating environment 100 may includeapplications 105A-105N running on one or more computing devices110A-110M (such as a mobile device; a mobile phone; a telephone; atablet computer; a mobile media device; a mobile gaming device; avehicle-based computer; a dedicated terminal; a public terminal,desktop, or laptop computer; a kiosk; wearable devices such as asmartwatch; etc.). In some embodiments, applications 105A-105N may bestored on one or more computing devices 110A-110M or may be storedremotely on a server (in the “cloud”). These computing devices caninclude mechanisms for receiving and sending traffic by connectingthrough network 115 to third party 135, content item leads platform 120,social media 140, listening integration systems 135, and data stores 125and 130.

Computing devices 110A-110M may be configured to communicate via network115 with social media 140 and content item leads platform 120. In someembodiments, computing devices 110A-110M can retrieve or submitinformation to social media 140 and content item leads platform 120 andrun one or more applications with customized content retrieved bycontent item leads platform 120 and data stores 125 and 130. Forexample, computing devices 110A-110M can execute a browser applicationor a customized client to enable interaction between the computingdevices 110A-110M, social media 140, content item leads platform 120,and data stores 125 and 130.

Network 115 can be any combination of local area and/or wide areanetworks using wired and/or wireless communication systems. Network 115can be or could use any one or more protocols/technologies: Ethernet,IEEE 802.11 or Wi-Fi, worldwide interoperability for microwave access(Wi MAX), cellular telecommunication (e.g., 3G, 4G, 5G), CDMA, cable,digital subscriber line (DSL), etc. Similarly, the networking protocolsused on network 115 may include multiprotocol label switching (MPLS),transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (TCP/IP), user datagramprotocol (UDP), hypertext transport protocol (HTTP), simple mailtransfer protocol (SMTP), and/or file transfer protocol (FTP). Dataexchanged over network 115 may be represented using technologies,languages, and/or formats including hypertext markup language (HTML), orextensible markup language (XML). In addition, all or some links can beencrypted using conventional encryption technologies such as securesockets layer (SSL), transport layer security (TLS), and InternetProtocol Security (IPSec).

Content item leads platform 120 can run on one or more servers and canbe used to receive content items associated with social handles fromvarious services or systems such as listening integration system 135,determine social handles for users, match user identifiers with contentitems using the social handles, create a subset of mapped content itemsbased on content, categorize the content items based on eventsidentified in the content, determine which content items are leads,store the content items and/or portions of the content items in one ormore databases, route the leads to a channel for one or more actions,store profiles and/or policies in data stores 125 and 130, and/orperform other activities. In some embodiments, content item leadsplatform 120 includes various data processing and analytic tools thatallow it to generate and use content item leads from voluminous amountsof content items. In some embodiments, content item leads platform 120is a server.

Content item leads platform 120 may be communicably coupled withlistening integration system 135, social media 140, data stores 125 and130, and computing devices 110A-110M, and may communicate, access, orreceive data (e.g., social media) from social media 140, listeningintegration system 135, computing devices 110A-110M, and data stores 125and 130. Content item leads platform 120 may be associated with amembership organization, and the users may be members of the membershiporganization.

Content item leads platform 120 may be customized or calibrated byindividual companies or service providers based on user needs and/orbusiness objectives. For example, companies may have different businessrules regarding what qualifies as an event, how leads are determined,and how leads should be channeled and addressed.

Data stores 125 and 130 can be used to manage storage and access to userdata such as user profiles, social handles, website or mobileapplication search history, account information, registered devices,user preferences, location information, security questions and answers,recent purchases, recent interactions with an organization, and otherinformation. Data stores 125 and 130 may be data repositories of a setof integrated objects that are modeled using classes defined in databaseschemas. Data stores 125 and 130 may further include flat files that canstore data. Content item leads platform 120 and/or other servers maycollect and/or access data from data stores 125 and 130.

Social media 140 can be any type of social media where content items arecreated. Content items can include Facebook posts, Twitter tweets,Flickr posts, blog posts, YouTube comments, YouTube videos, andPinterest posts. Content items can be associated with a social handle(i.e., an identifier of the person who posted the content).

Listening integration system 135 may be any type of system or servicethat assists with the collection of content items in social media 140.Listening integration system 135 can collect public content items inreal time or near real time. In some embodiments, listening integrationsystem 135 is a third party who provides the content items to anorganization.

FIG. 2 illustrates a set of components within content item leadsplatform 120 according to one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure. According to the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 , content itemleads platform can include memory 205, processor(s) 210, social handleobtaining module 215, content item receiving and storing module 220,mapping module 225, filtering module 230, categorizing module 235, leaddetermination module 240, scoring module 245, routing module 250,effectiveness module 255, and graphical user interface (GUI) generationmodule 260. Other embodiments of the present disclosure may includesome, all, or none of these modules and components, along with othermodules, applications, and/or components. Still yet, some embodimentsmay incorporate two or more of these modules and components into asingle module and/or associate a portion of the functionality of one ormore of these modules with a different module.

Memory 205 can be any device, mechanism, or populated data structureused for storing information. In accordance with some embodiments of thepresent disclosure, memory 205 can encompass, but is not limited to, anytype of volatile memory, nonvolatile memory, or dynamic memory. Forexample, memory 205 can be random-access memory (RAM), memory storagedevices, optical memory devices, magnetic media, floppy disks, magnetictapes, hard drives, single inline memory modules (SIMMs), synchronousdynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), dual inline memory modules(DIMMs), Rambus dynamic random-access memory (RDRAM), double data raterandom-access memory (DDR RAM), small outline dual inline memory modules(SODIMMs), EPROM, EEPROM, compact discs, DVDs, and/or the like. Inaccordance with some embodiments, memory 205 may include one or moredisk drives or flash drives; one or more databases; one or more tables;or one or more files, local cache memories, processor cache memories,relational databases, flat databases; and/or the like. In addition,those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate many additionaldevices and techniques for storing information that can be used asmemory 205.

Memory 205 may be used to store instructions for running one or moreapplications or modules on processor(s) 210. For example, memory 205could be used in one or more embodiments to house all or some of theinstructions needed to execute the functionality of social handleobtaining module 215, content item receiving and storing module 220,mapping module 225, filtering module 230, categorizing module 235, leaddetermination module 240, scoring module 245, routing module 250,effectiveness module 255, and GUI generation module 260.

Social handle obtaining module 215 can obtain social handles for usersor potential users of a service or product of an organization. A socialhandle is a social media nickname that is unique to a user for aservice. A user can have a different social handle for each differentsocial media service (e.g., a Facebook social handle may be differentthan a Twitter social handle). Social handles can be obtained by askinga user for his/her social handle(s) or can be harvested by requestingthe social handles from a third party. The third party may requireinformation such as an email address and/or phone number, typically inan encrypted format. Once the social handles are obtained, social handleobtaining module 215 stores the social handles in a user profileassociated with the user. In some embodiments, the social handles foreach user are associated with a user identifier that is also stored inthe user profile. When the user provides the social handle to anorganization, the user's account is typically updated to reflect thatthe user has shared the social handle. However, when social handles areharvested from a third party, such information is typically not visibleto the user.

Content item receiving and storing module 220 can receive content itemsfrom social listening devices or services such as listening integrationsystem 135. Each content item is associated with the social handle,identifying the person who posted the content item. The content itemscan be obtained in real time or near real time. When the content itemsare received by content item receiving and storing module 220, contentitem receiving and storing module 220 can store the content items in adatabase for social handle mapping. In some embodiments, each contentitem is assigned and/or tagged with an article identifier, which can beused for tracking the content item and how it is used (if at all).

Mapping module 225 can map users or potential users of a service orproduct to content items. Each user or potential user can be associatedwith a user identifier as well as the social handle(s) identified bysocial handle obtaining module 215. Mapping module 225 can map each ofthe content items with a corresponding user identifier using the socialhandle associated with the content items. In most circumstances, notevery content item will be matched with a user identifier. The contentitems that are mapped to a user identifier can be saved in a databasealong with a link to the content item.

Filtering module 230 can create a subset of the content items byselecting the content items that correspond to an event. Events caninclude, for example, a potential purchase, a change in marital status,having a child, relocating, changing jobs, the passing of a familymember. The events can be identified by a taxonomy of words and phrases,and/or images. To determine whether each of the content items correspondto an event, filtering module 230 can analyze the content of eachcontent item (e.g., the content item corresponds to an event ofpurchasing a vehicle if the content item contains the word “car” and“looking”; the content item corresponds to an event of a potentialproperty and casualty claim if the content item contains the words“flooded”). Typically, not all content items will be associated withevents. Filtering module 230 can filter all the content items or justthe content items that are mapped to a user identifier.

Categorizing module 235 can categorize the content items based on theevent identified from the content in the content items. Categories caninclude categories such as moving, automobile, insurance, or banking.The content items can be stored in files with each file storing contentitems associated with a certain category. After event detection,categorized data is tagged as a pre-lead. After being tagged, leadsdetermination takes place and the data is forwarded to the leadsdatabase.

Categorizing module 235 can store, in a database, a content itemreference to content items that are mapped, filtered, and categorized.The content item reference can include, for example, the articleidentifier, a user identifier, a link to the content, the category ofthe content item, a date the content item was posted, the source, thecategory of the event, the content item itself, and/or where the contentitems was posted. The content item reference can be stored with otheruser information (e.g., products or services the user has recentlypurchased, searches performed on a mobile application, browsing history,or calls or chats to the organization) to determine whether the contentitem is a lead that requires follow-up (e.g., call to the user, email tothe user, communication on a web portal). The article identifier can bethe same article identifier that was assigned when the content item wasreceived by content item receiving and storing module 220.

Lead determination module 240 determines whether the referenced contentitems are leads. A lead can be considered information that could lead toadditional business or services for user or potential users. Forexample, leads can be opportunities to assist a user (e.g., the user hasproperty damage from a storm; the organization can assist by sending anadjustor, helping the user fill out a claim form, or calling the user tosee how the organization can help) or leads can be opportunities tomarket a product or service to a user (e.g., the user is purchasing ahouse; the user likely will need home insurance). Determining whether acontent item is a lead may be based on the content of the content item,the event, the source of the content item, other information regardingthe user (e.g., did the user recently search on the mobile applicationfor information about automobile insurance), and the user's account(e.g., does the user already have automobile insurance). Lead detectionis based on the identification of an individual's public social identitypaired with the keywords associated with an event.

Scoring module 245 can score the leads according to a set of enterpriselogic or rules, and such scores can be used to determine what actionshould be taken, if any. The scores can be calculated based on theparticular content in the lead, content of other leads, recent actionsby the user (e.g., recent purchases or cancellations) or by theorganization (e.g., timing or content of past communications), currentproducts or services provided to the user, and other information. If thescore is above a certain level, then scoring module 245 communicateswith routing module 250 to route the lead to take an action. If thescore is below a certain level, then scoring module 245 does not routethe lead to routing module 250. The score can be updated over time. Forexample, if the user posts a certain number of times about the user'svehicle being serviced within a certain period of time, scoring module245 can route a lead to routing module 250 to offer the user assistancewith purchasing a vehicle. Thus, it may take several posts (or acombination of posts and other information) for the score to be raisedto the level that an action to be taken. In some embodiments, the scorecan be a confidence level that the user is having an event and/or wouldbenefit from a service or product or otherwise needs assistance. In someembodiments, the score can be a marketing funnel score. For example, thecombination of multiple events in during a certain period of time canplace the lead deeper in the funnel raising the likelihood that the leadis stronger and more likely to be acted upon than other leads.

Routing module 250 can route the lead to the correct channel for actionif an action should be taken. Actions that can be taken include addingwidgets to a website portal after the user has logged on or when theuser accesses the website (e.g., “Tips for Smart Home Buying,” “MortgageInterest Rates”), sending an email or direct mail with informationregarding the event, calling the user regarding the event, providinginformation about the event to the user after the user calls inregarding an unrelated event or issue, or bundling products or servicesfor the user. Moreover, the score may determine the action that is takenon the lead. For example, routing module 250 may route leads with higherscores to a call center so the user can be called about the lead whereasleads with lower scores may be routed to a server such that an email isautomatically sent regarding the lead.

Effectiveness module 255 can determine how effective the content itemwas in obtaining new business or assisting users. To do so, the articleidentifier can be used. For example, if a call is made based on a leadfrom a content item, the article identifier of the content item islogged as the reason for making the call. If the customer subsequently(e.g., within a certain period of time) purchases a product or servicerelating to the content item, then the process for generating and usingthe content item to generate a lead can be considered effective. In someembodiments, various effectiveness scores can be calculated dependingupon how quickly a purchase was made and how many interactions tookplace before the purchase.

GUI generation module 260 is capable of generating one or more GUIscreens that allow interaction with a user. In at least one embodiment,GUI generation module 260 generates a graphical user interface thatreceives information from and/or conveys information to the user. Forexample, GUI generation module 260 can display a banner providing dealsor information on automobile insurance. In some embodiments, GUIgeneration module 260 can provide information regarding eventsassociated with a user on the screen of a representative to use whilethe representative is speaking with the user.

FIGS. 3-5 are diagrams illustrating processes for identifying,generating, and using content items leads. In some embodiments, fewerthan all of the operations in each set of operations are performed,whereas in other embodiments additional operations are performed.Moreover, in some embodiments, the operations may be performed indifferent orders or in parallel. The operations can be performed byvarious components of the system such as the system illustrated in FIG.1 and content item leads platform 120, as illustrated in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating components and a process for generatingand using content item leads. Users create content items (e.g., posts,comments) that are stored in the social cloud (305). Listening ingestionsystems or vendors collect the content items (310). The content itemsare stored in a data store and are matched to user identifiers based onsocial handles (315). Each content item is associated with a user'ssocial handle and user identifiers are associated with the socialhandles. The content of the content items is then analyzed by a topiccategorization system to determine whether the content item is relatedto an event, and, if the content item is related to an event, whatcategory of event (320).

References to the content items that are related to an event are storedin an activity database (325). A reference to a content item can includean article identifier, a user identifier, the event, the category ofevent, and where it was posted. Other information regarding the user canbe stored in the activity database and associated with the user (e.g.,browsing history, subject of interactions with organization). Each ofthe content item references can be analyzed in combination with otherleads and/or information to determine whether the content item is a leadand what action, if any, should be taken. When the content item isdetermined to be a lead, the leads database stores a record of whichcontent item is used for what marketing or service action (330). Thecontent items can be used to call, email, place widgets regardingcategories such as “move” or “auto” on the user's portal, change theuser's portal, or otherwise interact with the user regarding a productor service related the user's event (340). After contacting the user,the effectiveness of the lead is determined (e.g., did the user purchasea product or service) (345).

FIG. 4 is a swim lane diagram illustrating a process for generating andusing content item leads. Content items are collected from the socialcloud and sent to a listening ingestion system to be matched with a useridentifier using social handles (405). Each content item can be given anarticle identifier. Social handles for users of a service or product canbe collected and put into a lookup file (410). The content items can bematched with the social handles of the users where applicable (415). Thematched content items can be processed in a lead generation batch job todetermine whether the content items may be leads (420). To determinewhether the content items are leads, the content items can be analyzedto determine whether they relate to an event identified by theorganization and categorized into specific events by a topiccategorization system (425). References to content items identified aspotentially being leads can be stored in the activity database (430).The reference can include an article identifier, the event, the categoryof the event, a link to the event, user identifier, and a date. Thecontent item reference can be analyzed in connection with other leads orinformation and scored (435). Action can be taken in accordance withmarketing rules (e.g., call the user, email, provide messages on theirmobile application or web portal) (440). In some embodiments, articleidentifiers can be used to retrieve the actual content from the contentitem (445).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating sets of operations 500 for assistinga user using a conversational virtual assistant. Identifying operation502 identifies content items from a social listening device. Eachcontent item can be tagged with an article identifier. Additionally,each content item can be associated with a social handle. Storingoperation 504 stores the content items in a database. Mapping operation506 maps the content items to a user identifier using social handlesassociated with the user and associated with the content items. Creatingoperation 508 creates a subset of content items based on content withinthe content items. Categorizing operation 510 categorizes the contentitems into events. Generating operation 512 generates a reference to thecontent item which can include a user identifier, a link to the contentitem, a category of the event, and an article identifier and stores thereference. Determining operation 514 determines whether the content itemis a lead and whether an action should be taken upon the lead. Thedetermination can be made based on a set of rules. Routing operation 516routes the lead to an appropriate channel to take action (e.g.,automatically send a letter or email, send to a representative to placea call, or update a user's web portal).

Computer System Overview

Embodiments of the present disclosure include various steps andoperations, which have been described above. A variety of these stepsand operations may be performed by hardware components or may beembodied in machine-executable instructions, which may in turn be usedto cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed withthe instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, the steps may beperformed by a combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. Assuch, FIG. 6 is an example of a computer system 600 with whichembodiments of the present disclosure may be utilized. According to thepresent example, the computer system 600 includes an interconnect 610,at least one processor 620, at least one communication port 630, a mainmemory 640, a removable storage media 650, a read-only memory 660, and amass storage device 670.

Processor(s) 620 can be any known processor, such as, but not limitedto, an Intel® Itanium® or Itanium 2® processor(s), or AMD® Opteron® orAthlon MP® processor(s), or Motorola® lines of processors. Communicationport(s) 630 can be a RS-232 port for use with a modem-based dial-upconnection, a 10/100 Ethernet port, or a Gigabit port using copper orfiber. Communication port(s) 630 may be chosen depending on the type ofnetwork such as a Local Area Network (LAN), Wide Area Network (WAN), orany network to which the computer system 600 connects.

Main memory 640 can be random access memory (RAM) or any other dynamicstorage device(s) commonly known in the art. Read-only memory 660 can beany static storage device(s), such as programmable read-only memory(PROM) chips for storing static information, or instructions forprocessor(s) 620.

Mass storage device 670 can be used to store information andinstructions. Mass storage devices that may be used include hard diskssuch as the Adaptec® family of SCSI (small computer system interface)drives, optical discs, an array of discs such as RAID (redundant arrayof independent disks), the Adaptec® family of RAID drives, or any othermass storage device.

Interconnect 610 communicatively couples processor(s) 620 with the othermemory, storage, and communication blocks. Depending on the storagedevices used, interconnect 610 can be a PCI/PCI-X- or SCSI-based systembus.

Removable storage media 650 can be any type of external hard drive,floppy drive, IOMEGA® Zip Drives, compact disc read-only memory(CD-ROM), compact disc re-writable (CD-RW), and/or digital video discread-only memory (DVD-ROM).

The components described above are meant to exemplify some types ofpossibilities. In no way should the aforementioned examples limit thedisclosure, as they are only exemplary embodiments.

Terminology

Brief definitions of terms, abbreviations, and phrases used throughoutthis application and the appendices are given below.

The terms “connected” or “coupled” and related terms are used in anoperational sense and are not necessarily limited to a direct physicalconnection or coupling. Thus, for example, two devices may be coupleddirectly or via one or more intermediary media or devices. As anotherexample, devices may be coupled in such a way that information can bepassed therebetween, while not sharing any physical connection with oneanother. Based on the disclosure provided herein, one of ordinary skillin the art will appreciate a variety of ways in which a connection or acoupling exists in accordance with the aforementioned definition.

The phrases “in some embodiments,” “according to some embodiments,” “inthe embodiments shown,” “in other embodiments,” “embodiments,” and thelike generally mean that the particular feature, structure, orcharacteristic following the phrase is included in at least oneembodiment of the present disclosure and may be included in more thanone embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, such phrases donot necessarily refer to the same embodiments or to differentembodiments.

If the specification states a component or feature “may,” “can,”“could,” or “might” be included or have a characteristic, thatparticular component or feature is not required to be included or havethe characteristic.

The term “responsive” encompasses being completely or partiallyresponsive.

The term “module” refers broadly to a software, hardware, or firmware(or any combination thereof) component. Modules are typically functionalcomponents that can generate useful data or other output using specifiedinput(s). A module may or may not be self-contained. An applicationprogram (also called an “application”) may include one or more modules,or a module can include one or more application programs.

The term “network” generally refers to a group of interconnected devicescapable of exchanging information. A network may be as small as severalpersonal computers on a local area network (LAN) or as large as theInternet, a worldwide network of computers. As used herein, “network” isintended to encompass any network capable of transmitting informationfrom one entity to another. In some cases, a network may comprisemultiple networks—even multiple heterogeneous networks—such as one ormore border networks, voice networks, broadband networks, financialnetworks, service provider networks, Internet service provider (ISP)networks, and/or public switched telephone networks (PSTNs)interconnected via gateways operable to facilitate communicationsbetween and among the various networks.

Also, for the sake of illustration, various embodiments of the presentdisclosure have herein been described in the context of computerprograms, physical components, and logical interactions within moderncomputer networks. More importantly, while these embodiments describevarious embodiments of the present disclosure in relation to moderncomputer networks and programs, the method and apparatus describedherein are equally applicable to other systems, devices, and networks,as one skilled in the art will appreciate. As such, the illustratedapplications of the embodiments of the present disclosure are not meantto be limiting, but instead, are meant to be examples. Other systems,devices, and networks to which embodiments of the present disclosure areapplicable include, but are not limited to, other types of communicationand computer devices and systems. More specifically, embodiments areapplicable to communication systems, services, and devices, such as cellphone networks and compatible devices. In addition, embodiments areapplicable to all levels of computing, from personal computers to largenetwork mainframes and servers.

In conclusion, the present disclosure discloses novel systems, methods,and arrangements for generating and using content item leads. Whiledetailed descriptions of one or more embodiments of the disclosure havebeen given above, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalentswill be apparent to those skilled in the art without varying from thespirit of the disclosure. For example, while the embodiments describedabove refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure alsoincludes embodiments that have different combinations of features andembodiments that do not include all of the described features.Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to embraceall such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall withinthe scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computerized method comprising: identifying, byat least one processor of a computer, content items from items posted bya plurality of users, wherein each of the content items is associatedwith a social handle of a user from the plurality of users;categorizing, by the at least one processor of the computer, each of thecontent items based on it corresponding to one or more events; filteringthe content items to determine a subset of content items that are mappedto the user; identifying, by the at least one processor of the computer,one or more leads from the subset of content items; determining, by theat least one processor of the computer, a score for each of the one ormore leads based on a number of times the content items associated withproducts or services were posted in a threshold of time by the user;determining, by the at least one processor of the computer, a type offollow-up communication regarding the products or services based on A)the score for each of the one or more leads and B) at least one productthe user currently possesses; in response to determining the type offollow-up communication, routing the one or more leads to a channel forthe follow-up communication based on the type of follow-upcommunication; adding one or more widgets to a web portal or mobileapplication associated with the channel based on the one or more leads,wherein the one or more widgets are configured to allow interaction withthe user regarding a product or a service related to the one or moreleads; receiving, from the user, a purchase relating to at least one ofthe one or more leads; and determining, by the at least one processor ofthe computer, an effectiveness score of the at least one of the one ormore leads based on a number of interactions between the identificationof the at least one of the one or more leads and a time before receivingthe purchase relating to the at least one of the one or more leads. 2.The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising: obtaining thesocial handle for the user of a service or product, wherein theidentified content items are associated with the obtained social handle.3. The computerized method of claim 1, further comprising: generating areference to the categorized content items, wherein the reference isstored in a database, and wherein the reference includes a useridentifier and a link to the content items of the categorized contentitems.
 4. The computerized method of claim 3, wherein identifying, froma social media monitoring device, the content items from items posted bythe plurality of users further comprises tagging each of the contentitems with an article identifier, and wherein the reference furthercomprises the article identifier.
 5. The computerized method of claim 1,wherein the one or more leads are an opportunity to provide a service orproduct to the user.
 6. The computerized method of claim 1, wherein theone or more events comprise at least one of: a relocation, a potentialpurchase, a birth of a child, or a change in employer.
 7. Thecomputerized method of claim 1, wherein a portion of the content itemsare matched with a user identifier.
 8. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by acomputing system, cause the computing system to perform operationscomprising: identifying, by at least one processor of a computer,content items from items posted by a plurality of users, wherein each ofthe content items is associated with a social handle of a user from theplurality of users; categorizing, by the at least one processor of thecomputer, each of the content items based on it corresponding to one ormore events; filtering the content items to determine a subset ofcontent items that are mapped to the user; identifying, by the at leastone processor of the computer, one or more leads from the subset ofcontent items; determining, by the at least one processor of thecomputer, a score for each of the one or more leads based on a number oftimes the content items associated with products or services were postedin a threshold of time by the user; determining, by the at least oneprocessor of the computer, a type of follow-up communication regardingthe products or services based on A) the score for each of the one ormore leads and B) at least one product the user currently possesses; inresponse to determining the type of follow-up communication, routing theone or more leads to a channel for the follow-up communication based onthe type of follow-up communication; adding one or more widgets to a webportal or mobile application associated with the channel based on theone or more leads, wherein the one or more widgets are configured toallow interaction with the user regarding a product or a service relatedto the one or more leads; receiving, from the user, a purchase relatingto at least one of the one or more leads; and determining, by the atleast one processor of the computer, an effectiveness score of the atleast one of the one or more leads based on a number of interactionsbetween the identification of the at least one of the one or more leadsand a time before receiving the purchase relating to the at least one ofthe one or more leads.
 9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium ofclaim 8, wherein the operations further comprise: obtaining the socialhandle for the user of a service or product, wherein the identifiedcontent items are associated with the obtained social handle.
 10. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein theoperations further comprise: generating a reference to the categorizedcontent items, wherein the reference is stored in a database, andwherein the reference includes a user identifier and a link to thecontent items of the categorized content items.
 11. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein identifying, from a socialmedia monitoring device, the content items from items posted by theplurality of users further comprises tagging each of the content itemswith an article identifier, and wherein the reference further comprisesthe article identifier.
 12. The non-transitory computer-readable mediumof claim 8, wherein the one or more leads are an opportunity to providea service or product to the user.
 13. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein the one or more eventscomprise at least one of: a relocation, a potential purchase, a birth ofa child, or a change in employer.
 14. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 8, wherein a portion of the contentitems are matched with a user identifier.
 15. A system comprising: oneor more processors; and one or more memories storing instructions that,when executed by the one or more processors, cause the system to performa process comprising: identifying, by at least one processor of acomputer, content items from items posted by a plurality of users,wherein each of the content items is associated with a social handle ofa user from the plurality of users; categorizing, by the at least oneprocessor of the computer, each of the content items based on itcorresponding to one or more events; filtering the content items todetermine a subset of content items that are mapped to the user;identifying, by the at least one processor of the computer, one or moreleads from the subset of content items; determining, by the at least oneprocessor of the computer, a score for each of the one or more leadsbased on a number of times the content items associated with products orservices were posted in a threshold of time by the user; determining, bythe at least one processor of the computer, a type of follow-upcommunication regarding the products or services based on A) the scorefor each of the one or more leads and B) at least one product the usercurrently possesses; in response to determining the type of follow-upcommunication, routing the one or more leads to a channel for thefollow-up communication based on the type of follow-up communication;adding one or more widgets to a web portal or mobile applicationassociated with the channel based on the one or more leads, wherein theone or more widgets are configured to allow interaction with the userregarding a product or a service related to the one or more leads;receiving, from the user, a purchase relating to at least one of the oneor more leads; and determining, by the at least one processor of thecomputer, an effectiveness score of the at least one of the one or moreleads based on a number of interactions between the identification ofthe at least one of the one or more leads and a time before receivingthe purchase relating to the at least one of the one or more leads. 16.The system according to claim 15, wherein the process further comprises:obtaining the social handle for the user of a service or product,wherein the identified content items are associated with the obtainedsocial handle.
 17. The system according to claim 15, wherein the processfurther comprises: generating a reference to the categorized contentitems, wherein the reference is stored in a database, and wherein thereference includes a user identifier and a link to the content items ofthe categorized content items.
 18. The system according to claim 17,wherein identifying, from a social media monitoring device, the contentitems from items posted by the plurality of users further comprisestagging each of the content items with an article identifier, andwherein the reference further comprises the article identifier.
 19. Thesystem according to claim 15, wherein the one or more leads are anopportunity to provide a service or product to the user.
 20. The systemaccording to claim 15, wherein the one or more events comprise at leastone of: a relocation, a potential purchase, a birth of a child, or achange in employer, and wherein a portion of the content items arematched with a user identifier.